Moran works to stop over regulation of family farms and ranches
“In towns from coast to coast, consumers enjoy a safe and affordable food supply due to the efficiency and performance of America's family farmers, but the Department of Labor’s proposed regulations threaten the future of our industry,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman. “In addition to being the economic backbone of so many of America’s towns, the traditions and the work ethic associated with growing up on a family farm are worth preserving, and the American Farm Bureau Federation appreciates Sens. Moran and Nelson for taking the lead on this important issue.”
Before making such drastic changes to farm labor rules, the Department should identify reliable evidence and data that shows a need for these changes. But the Department of Labor admits it lacks the data to justify many of its suggested changes. Furthermore, according to the National Farm Medicine Center, youth-related injuries from farm accidents have declined by nearly 60 percent from 1998 to 2009.
In addition to Sens. Moran and Nelson, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Herb Kohl (D-Wis.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Chuck Grassley, (R-Iowa), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Dan Coats (R-Ind.), Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), David Vitter (R-La.), James Risch (R-ID), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.)
Click here to read a copy of the letter sent to U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis.
Sens. Moran and Nelson, along with 32 of their colleagues, previously wrote to Secretary Solis to request a 60-day extension of the comment period on the proposed changes to the Fair Labor Standard Act because the previous 60-day comment period fell during the fall harvest season. In response, the Department extended the comment period by 30 days.
